5) Karun Nair (Rajasthan Royals)11 matches, 330 runs, strike rate 142.24, highest score 73*
Rajasthan Royals have showed the propensity to unearth promising talent in the IPL, and this season was no different as Karnataka batsman Karun Nair made handy contributions opening the innings with Ajinkya Rahane. Two of Nair's major contributions came in games where other RR batsmen were found wanting, against RCB and Mumbai Indians. Against MI in the last league game, it was on the back of Nair and Sanju Samson's crucial partnership that helped RR post a big total.